Q: Who are you and what do you do?

A: I am a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Los Angeles. My work is an intersection of fine art and design which I call “liveable art”, a freedom aesthetic that bleeds across each project. I rarely dream up a new piece without considering the home content it will sit in, so it’s been a natural progression for me to brand into home decor and categories such as mirrors, TV cabinets, tables, rugs, and shelving. 

Q: What is your background?

A: I was born in New York City and graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Q: How do you work?

A: I feel really lucky to have a studio within the loft where I live so I can constantly be immersed in my work. I love to be able to eat, sleep, and breathe around my art, it’s allowed for a natural progression from painting to designing and translating my aesthetic across different objects. I turned my outdoor patio into a makeshift woodshed so I can live quickly go from a sketch to a wood prototype. I’m a pretty spontaneous worker so having all my tools at my fingertips is key. 

Q: What art do you most identify with?

A: I’m so inspired by artists who turn their vision into an entire world. I visited Marfa and got totally immersed in the works of Donald Judd and was amazed at how he translated his aesthetic across humble plywood chairs to larger-than-life concrete installations. The breadth of work and all the different types of spaces it touches really does it for me.

Q: What has been your favorite experience so far as an artist?

A:  My studio also functions as a gallery and showcase and the best thing is that it lets me open it up to prospective collectors. I love having people over for tea and showing them my latest pieces. Especially with custom commissions, I work closely with my collectors to understand their space and how they uniquely live in it so anytime that download can happen face to face over here, it’s really enjoyable and productive.

Q: What is the best advice you have received?

A: I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Gilbert and she said this thing once on her podcast that really stuck with me. I think of it every time I feel like I’m holding on too tightly to the desired outcome and just try to enjoy the ride. 

“Let go of this whole idea, it worked, it didn’t work. It was a success, it wasn’t a success. When did inspiration promise us that it owes us anything? As far as I understand inspiration, it owes you nothing except the transcendence of experience of working with it all. That’s the only contract that we have with inspiration. It wants to dance with you and we want to dance with it. The result? That’s all human ego questions. Inspiration doesn’t look at you and say well that didn’t work. Inspiration looks at you and says that was fun, look what we did!”

Q: When you are now working, where can we find you?

A: I try to get to the beach once a week to recharge. I was such an art and theatre nerd growing up I completely missed the whole sports thing and was surprised to fall in love with tennis a few years ago. I’m a flea market addict and find a lot of inspiration from thrifting. 

Q: How has your career as an artist shifted during the past year?

A: In the last few years, the biggest change was finding my new studio in West Hollywood. It was the height of the pandemic and it seemed like there was nothing left in LA and I desperately needed a bigger studio. In my last place, I often found myself moving the sofa into the hallwasy to get more floor space to work so I eventually just left it out there. I got really lucky with this one! I was actually on the phone with a collector discussing a commission and he mentioned he worked in real estate. A few weeks after that call he found this place for me and the extra space has allowed my work to reach new dimensions; it feels truly incredible.

The post Meet the Artist: Hannah Polskin appeared first on Art Business News.

By Michael Pacitti

Color trends reflect how we live our lives, and our outlook on color has broadened thanks to today’s new technology. Simultaneously, our boundaries between public life and private life have blurred, and our take on privacy has evolved. Some people desire to create a personal territory, away from the hustle and bustle of our world. Our age-old desire is to take shelter and find that peaceful inner space. Within the comforts of our home, we respond to a need for privacy. Color helps us abound in our nest.

The home also takes center stage when it comes to color trends and decoration. Original art, canvas transfers and Giclée are growing to fill large loft walls or high ceiling entrances. Mirrors are also welcome additions throughout the home. Traditional styling has merged with modern designs to produce a new “transitional” look.

We now live in a time more focused on natural environment, fresh eating and healthy living. Citrus and farm-fresh colors of vegetables, fruits and open fields help illustrate our way of life. Some colors have become more weathered and washed, as though they have worn down over the years, making our spaces feel lived-in and comfortable. Paint companies curate new neutral color palettes each year to help you find and create those moments of sanctuary in your home.

By staying on top of changing color trends, framers can harness color fads and boost their business.

A Colorful History
The human eye can see approximately seven million colors, many of which affect the viewer’s mood and health. When naming colors, people rely on cultural conventions. Some cultures have a few names for all colors; others have dozens or hundreds of names. We learn to name colors the same way we learn to name animals, foods or letters of the alphabet: We look, someone else points and names, and after a while we get the connection.

Color trends have changed dramatically throughout the decades. In 1917 Evercote House Paint released one of the first color-trend forecasts for home interiors and exteriors. This practice continued for years and included paint for trend periods such as Victorian, Colonial, Jacobean and Art Deco. The original forecasts for interior and exterior home color came from paint companies. Today, paint companies such as Benjamin Moore, Pantone and Dulux still continue to track the color trends.

Consumers drive color trends. A color cannot be a trend unless it sells. A color does not change; the consumer’s attitude toward a color changes. Several factors will affect the trend including lifestyles and social changes, political events, travel, art, social media, music and cultural and global events.

A significant global event, such as World War II, can greatly affect the direction that colors take in the ensuing years. Like the battlefields, the color trends during that war were drab, full of khakis, heavy grays, somber teals and thick reds.

New color trends can show up in a matter of months after a major event. In 2010, Pantone predicted the popularity of the color turquoise. That year Twitter released a new turquoise logo, and the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games used turquoise as the background color for the Games’ website, which received more than 1.5 billion hits. Hollywood also released the hit movie Avatar and released a live-action version of Alice in Wonderland, both of which use turquoise in many of the backdrops and color schemes.

Each year Pantone and other organizations also forecast the year’s top wedding color, which often links to a current fashion statement. “Radiant orchid,” 2014’s color, is abundant in this year’s wedding palettes as decorative trims, accents, centerpieces and bouquets.

Boost the Business
Today’s color trends adapt diverse design influenced by individual color selection. Custom picture framing designers can choose color though matting and moulding to fulfil customers’ desires. Framers should understand the tint, tone and shade factors in any combination of selected colors or schemes.

Keeping in tune with the latest images, such as trend posters and art, will also help framers know what colors are hot and what moulding to use in a framing combination. For example, movie posters from the ’70s and ’80s, with their heavy use of primary colors, are now fashionable additions to home decor.. Red, blue and yellow mouldings and mat boards, such as Crescent Cardboard’s Brite Cores, are well-suited for these posters.

Color trends appear to develop at a fast pace, in and out within a year. Separate and identify mat boards in trend colors to identify yourself as a custom framing designer aware of the current trends.

Michael Pacitti is publisher of DECOR magazine and Show Director for DECOR Expo Showcase. He has worked in the interior design, art, photography and custom framing design industry for more than 25 years.

Sidebar:
Color Tools
Websites such as colorhunter.com and pictaculous.com extract all of the colors in an image or picture to produce a color palette for color design and assessment. They are great tools for solving matting issues that require the breakdown of an image by color distribution. These free sites will help you upload an image, instantly send back the color distribution and, in some cases, show the most predominant color.

The post Behind the Color Trends appeared first on Art Business News.

By Michael Pacitti

Period design is a fascinating field of study, and one that can help you do better business. Behind each frame lies a story that’s well worth knowing—and sharing. Did you know that most frames fall into one of thirteen periods of design? Knowing and understanding all the influences behind a frame can really help to hone your skills as a custom framing designer. And this, in turn, will bring you more satisfied customers.

So without further adieu, let’s dive into this issue’s featured period of design!

Art Deco: 1925 – 1937

No doubt you’re aware that Art Deco is hot right now! Part of the reason was last year’s movie remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” with a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey McGuire and Carey Mulligan.

If you saw the film, you’ll recall the rich, opulent ‘20s glamour of the costumes and set. This was a sparkling, smoke-swirled era with glittering sequins, lavish beading, polished hardwoods and elaborate, over-the-top splendor. Box office reviews for the movie may have been mixed, but the fashion trends had already caught on.

Pantone announced an Art Deco emerald green for the color of 2013. Hipsters across the country started sporting suspenders and bowties. Rolls Royce announced a new, Art Deco-styled vehicle. Kitchen fixtures began cropping up in shiny, nickel-plated styles. And of course, Art Deco frames grew in popularity.

Hallmarks of Art Deco

Let’s review the classic hallmarks of Art Deco. Clean lines, geometric shapes and grayed colors are a good place to start. We’re talking dove gray, flat silver, brilliant red, soft lilac and emerald green—this is the basic palette— set against exotic woods such as Makassar ebony, zebrawood, and the refined metals of bronze, brushed steel and nickel.

Art Deco’s visual motifs include geometric shapes, curves, Egyptian zigzags, sunburst,
lightning bolts, airbrushed screened ray bands, motion light, aerodynamic and streamlined forms. Glamorous ornamentation is another hallmarks of the Art Deco period. The more lavish, the better.

Influences and Background

There’s a lot of interesting history behind the Art Deco movement, and it’s well worth knowing. Let’s dive into it.

Art Deco holds some wonderful paradoxes. On the one hand, it is considered a supremely theatrical, ornate style; yet it is also classical and symmetrical. The movement drew its inspiration from art genres including Cubism, Futurism, Neoclassicism, Modernism, Futurism and the Bauhaus era. Art Deco’s true heyday was from 1925 to 1937, though things started up as early as 1920.

Think of the Roaring Twenties—the Jazz Age, with flappers kicking their sequined heels up at raucous, lavish parties. It was a glamorous time, but it was also an era that embraced technology. This is a key distinguishing factor between Art Deco and the Art Nouveau period, with its organic motifs.

Although many other design movements have political or philosophical roots or intentions such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco was purely decorative. It was bold and brassy and powerful. It took buildings and designed them to look like cruise ships!

Discoveries, Motifs and Ornamentation

In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter and his sponsor, Lord Carnarvon, thrilled the
world with their discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Reporters and tourists
thronged at the site for a glimpse at treasures which had lain nearly undisturbed for over 3,000 years. Soon, a fascination for ancient Egypt found expression in clothing, jewelry,
furniture, graphic design and, of course, architecture. In fact, one of the most popular Art Deco motifs is that of the sunburst pattern, taken from Egyptian hieroglyphs and symbols.

Art and Posters

Although the term “Art Deco” is rarely applied to painting or sculpture, the style is visible in the streamlined forms of certain 20th century painters from the inter-war period. One of the most famous artists who employed Art Deco themes was painter Tamara de Lempicka (1898-1980). A bold, fiercely independent woman (with a fascinating life story), Lempicka revolutionized the world of female portraits. She embraced the “synthetic cubist” method of painting, using small, geometric planes of strong color to create stunning, empowering portraits of women.

Along with the technological advances of the era, the art world saw dramatic evolution in the world of printmaking and lithography. As a result, Art Deco posters became available to many who might not otherwise be able to afford the original artwork. These images endure today.

Lempicka’s prints were (and are) popular, as were images in the “Cassandre Style,” so named after the pseudonym of the famous artist Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron, who held a one-man show at the Museum of Modern Art in 1936. No doubt you are familiar with Cassandre’s sleek designs of towering ships and speeding trains—the pinnacle of Art Deco graphic design. Pinup posters and advertisements were popular as well.

Fashion

The fashion-forward clan knew exactly what they wanted after the end of World War I, when technological advances kicked into high gear. It was time to move beyond the hardship and into an era of empowerment for women. Flapper fashion was born. Long-waisted dresses, V-necklines and ostrich feathers celebrated women’s femininity, while bobbed haircuts brought a dash of erotic androgyny into the mix.

Picture Frames, Photo Frames & Mouldings

Now that we’ve explored the history and hallmarks of the Art Deco period, let’s bring the discussion back to framing. Here’s where we start to put it all together in terms of your business and clients.

Art Deco mouldings and frames tend to have clean, smooth finishes. They hold a characteristic of not only symmetry, but also a consistency in finish and color. Whether you’re talking about a painted green frame or one made of highly polished metal, it will have clean-cut lines that will beautifully compliment any art deco art image or photograph. Aluminum, stainless steel, plastics, lacquer and inlaid wood are excellent choices.

Have a client who wants to frame a poster of the Chrysler Building or a classic Tamara de Lempicka print? Get a slick, polished frame and set it off beautifully. Loft owners and condo dwellers—especially those with high ceilings—are looking for Art Deco stylings whether they know it or not!

Framing Art Deco posters requires a moulding that is clean, flat and symmetrical in pattern and ornament. Try pairing the image or subject matter that you are designing with frames that have geometric or stylized patterns from representational forms (remember the Egyptian sun we discussed above?). Bear in mind: Art Deco often incorporates a repetitive pattern throughout the image. Choose mouldings that are cool, elegant and sophisticated. You are looking for symmetry, clean lines and geometric patterns.

Furniture and Decor

In the wake of the Gatsby style resurgence we’re seeing, interior decorators and designers are incorporating Art Deco themes into their decor these days as well. The original Art Deco furniture was an amalgam of many different styles and movements of the early 20th century—including Neoclassical, Constructivism, Cubism, Modernism, Art Nouveau, and Futurism—and that’s what we’re seeing again today.

Art Deco decor is characterized by the use of materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, leather, lacquer, inlaid wood and exotic materials such as ivory, shark skin and zebra skin. Functional elegance is the key. Other elements include: high-gloss finishes, glass
and metal combinations, geometric shapes and bold patterns (think animal prints). Keep these in mind when working with an Art Deco artwork and/or frame.
Inspiration and Resources

If you want help your clients to create a space in which their apartment, home or loft looks and feels as though they have a roommate named Gatsby, the following websites
are good places to start.

Houzz.com
Houzz.com has literally thousands of pictures of Art Deco interior designs. From poster
art and shower curtains to bed frames and wall-mounted mirrors, Houzz.com gives you
an idea of all the many ways that you can build an Art Deco vibe in your home.

Interiordesignipedia.com
One of my favorite sites for custom framing design ideas related to Art Deco is interiordesignipedia.com

Lighting Advice
Layered lighting schemes are important to consider when exploring Art Deco decor. Sconces and torchères beam light up or down to cast a flattering, sultry glow. Art deco fixtures were futuristic for their era, yet polished. Check out this video on adding LED effects to a room.

Art Deco Color Schemes
Here’s a great site for working with art deco schemes: http://www.decopix.com/Art_Deco_Color_Schemes/

Michael Pacitti, IDEC, CPF, has worked in the interior design, art, photography and custom framing design industry for more than 25 years. He has been associated with the Color Marketing Group since 1990 and the Color Association of the United States (C.A.U.S), through which he has taught seminars on color and design to interior designers throughout North America, Europe, Australia and China for 25 years. He has also written numerous articles on color and design and is a professional certified educator with IDEC Interior Design Educators Council.

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The world of decor is all about reinvention, and that’s why we’re launching an all-new DECOR magazine! Our Creative Team is busy putting the finishing touches on our new look—a paperless, online Ezine—and we can’t wait to share it with you. Join us for the launch at DECOR Expo, alongside Artexpo New York and [SOLO] in NYC’s Pier 94 next April.

New Owners
DECOR magazine is now owned by Redwood Media Group—purveyors of fine art exhibitions, events, education and editorial with a decades-long history of serving the global fine art community. At Redwood, we know the fine art industry inside and out, and we own and produce fine art fairs including Artexpo New York, SPECTRUM New York, SPECTRUM Miami, [SOLO] and DECOR Expo. We also own and publish Art Business News magazine, and we’re thrilled to add the soon-to-be-launched DECOR Ezine to our offerings.

New Editorial Board
We’re pleased to introduce our new editors to you!

Editor in Chief: Michael Pacitti

Michael Pacitti, IDEC, CPF, has worked in the fine art, design and framing industry for more than 25 years.

He is currently associated with the Color Marketing Group, and the Color Association of the United States (C.A.U.S) where he has been teaching seminars on color and design to interior designers and decorators throughout North America, Europe, and China for 25 years.

He has also written numerous articles on color and design and is a professional certified educator with IDEC Interior Design Educators Council, resulting in his accessible style of conducting informative and interactive workshops.

Managing Editor: Meg Glasgow

An artist, European-trained picture framer and entrepreneur, Meg owns her own interior design firm: Meg Glasgow Designs. She has 20+ years experience in the art business as a CEO, art consultant, author and public speaker. Recently, she has joined her husband, Steve, and Glasgow Group Realty as a real estate client concierge, where her focus is on customer care in assisting in home staging, sales, marketing and property previews. She currently serves on the Meridian Arts Commission, Business Promotions committee for the Meridian Chamber of Commerce and President of Finer Frames.

We also have an exciting new team of writers, editors and designers on board, including Craig Kausen, Linda Mariano, Litsa Spanos and yours truly, Christine Schrum.

New Content & Design

The all-new DECOR Ezine will deliver cutting-edge news on all things design and decor—from interior decorating and fine art collecting to the latest trends in architecture, furnishings, textiles and tapestries, framing, and much more. We’re also rolling out a fresh new look for the magazine.

Stay tuned for our April 2014 launch at DECOR Expo. Visit the DECOR Expo site for more information on the show. Hope to see you at Pier 94 next spring!

The post All-New DECOR Ezine Launch at DECOR Expo in April 2014 appeared first on Art Business News.